Jellyfish Discover The Key To Immortality

The turritopsis nutricula species of jellyfish is the only known animal that can bypass death. This unique jellyfish is capable of cycling from its adult stage to its original polyp stage and back again, making its lifespan virtually never ending. These death-cheating jellies are slowly increasing in numbers are being found all around the world in what scientists are referring to as a “worldwide silent invasion.”

The only animal in the world to have discovered the fountain of youth.

“The key lies in a process called transdifferentiation, where one type of cell is transformed into another type of cell. Some animals can undergo limited transdifferentiation and regenerate organs, such as salamanders, which can regrow limbs. Turritopsi nutricula, on the other hand, can regenerate its entire body over and over again. Researchers are studying the jellyfish to discover how it is able to reverse its aging process.”

Photo by Peter Schuchert.

via yahoo.com

Japanese Boat Capsized By Huge Jellyfish

A Japanese fishing boat was overturned by giant Nomura’s jellyfish off the coat of Chibu after attempting to pull in nets filled with the giant Nomura’s jellyfish weighing up to 200kg each. If it wasn’t bad enough that those fishing for the beasts are in danger, scientists are apparently preparing for a “typhoon” of huge jellyfish to hit Japan.

Scientists fear weather and water conditions are perfect for a “typhoon” of the creatures, of which little is known.

“The arrival is inevitable,” Hiroshima University Professor Shinichi Ue said.

“A huge jellyfish typhoon will hit the country.”

A decline in predators of the jellyfish, such as sea turtles, is believed to be one reason there has been an increase of them in recent years.

Little is known about the jellyfish, primarily confusion about its random appearances off the coast of Japan. Last year there were almost no sightings but in 2007 there were more than 15,500 reports of damage to fishing equipment by the creatures.

via metro.co.uk

Jellyfish Lamp

I’m not really one to spend money on fancy home furnishings, but these lamps are awesome!

via Swim At Your Own Risk

National Geographic Top 10 Photos of 2006

Here’s another Top 10 photos of 2006 series, this time from National Geographic. These giant jellyfish grow up to 2m (6 ft 7 in) in diameter and weigh up to 200kgs (440 lbs) making them #3! Thanks to Clive this photo has actually appeared on fishing fury before. We’ve also got some great photos of jellyfish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

The rest of your top 10 are just around the bend.

Delicious Giant Jellyfish

I know Jon previously wrote about the swarms giant jellyfish that invade the seas around Japan, but I found a few incredible photographs I though I’d share. These huge nomura’s jellyfish can grow up to 2m (6 ft 7 in) in diameter and weigh up to 200kgs (440 lbs). In the past year, numbers of these jelly fish have increased one hundred times. To reduce the numbers of these huge jellyfish the government of Japan has formed a committee. One solution: eat them.

Photos via Pagents Progress

Explosive Jellyfish Sting Caught On Film

Scientists have managed to capture the explosive sting of jellyfish on film using a camera capable of taking 1.4 million frames per second and discover that it’s quite possibly the fastest cellular process in nature. As it turns out Jellyfish can hit with as much force as a bullet, and their explosive cocktail of nerve and blood attacking toxins fire out at the same speed.

Miniature stinger cells, called nematocysts, cloak the tentacles of jellyfish in their thousands and each harbours a deadly cocktail of toxins that attack the nerves and blood of their victims. Injecting the poisons into prey requires a discharge forceful enough to break through the shells of crustaceans.

When the tentacle touches its prey the lid of the nematocyst flips open, triggering the folded collagen spring to release outwards. This ejects a sharp spine, known as a stylet. The stylet pierces the external barrier of the prey with a pressure of more than 7 billion Pascals – in the range of that generated by a bullet fired from a gun.

Check out the short but cool video, 240,000 frames per second (143kb Quicktime).